Hay roll forming machine

ABSTRACT

A machine to form compact rolls of hay of substantial size by picking up a swath or windrow of hay and the like from a field, engage it by cooperating upper and lower endless flexible aprons driven in suitable directions to coil the hay into a compact roll while supported upon floor means mounted stationarily in the bottom of the machine to effect baling of all the hay without loss upon the ground. When the roll type bale of hay reaches a predetermined diameter, the upper apron raises and driving movement of the same stops while the bale is discharged by movement of the lower apron rearwardly in the machine, or the machine can retain and transport the bale to a desired location, if desired. The lower course of the upper apron is initially supported in a desired configuration relative to the lower apron by guide means which include movable auxiliary means arranged to be disengaged by said upper apron when the bale reaches a predetermined diameter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years, it has been customary to harvest forage crops, such asvarious kinds of hay and leaf-type forage plants by mowing the same in afield, letting them lie for several days to dry, forming the cut and atleast partially dryed crop into windrows, and passing a hay-balingmachine over and along such windrows to form the crop into rectangularbales which are secured by passing one or more typing strands around thebale. The bales then are picked up by various means and are taken to abarn or similar building in which piles of such bales are stored untilused. In recent years, it has been found that if hay and similar foragecrops are formed into a large, compact roll by various types ofmachines, the cylindrical formation of the roll tends to provideself-shedding of rain and other inclement weather substances if the rollis left lying in a field or feed lot where cattle and other herbivorousanimals may feed upon it, without requiring the roll to be taken to astorage shed.

Large rolls of forage crops of the type described frequently are of theorder of 4 or 5 feet in diameter and 6 or 8 feet long. Rolls of thissize may weigh as much as several tons. If they are to be moved,following the formation thereof, special types of equipment must beused. The present invention is concerned with the formation of compactrolls of forage material, such as hay, and the details thereof aresetforth hereinafter.

Forming compact, large rolls of hay has engaged the attention of variousinventors heretofore. Several different principles have been utilized inthe inventions thus produced. One type forms a roll or coil of hay andthe like by initiating the formation of such roll by suitable mechanismand continue to roll a swath or windrow of the hay while supported uponthe ground. Examples of such mechanisms are shown in prior U.S. Pat. No.3,110,145, to Avery, dated Nov. 12, 1963. Another such machine comprisesthe subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,100, to Swan, dated Mar. 21,1972. One of the principle difficulties resulting from this method offorming rolls of hay is that a certain amount of the hay remains uponthe field without being included in the roll of hay, such as the fines.Further, dirt, clods of earth, stones and the like also can be picked upby the roll and this is undesirable under certain circumstances.

A second principle method of forming rolls of the type referred tocomprises a machine in which a swath or windrow of the crop is picked upfrom the field and directed onto a supporting conveyor or the like whilethe same is formed into a coil or roll of the forage crop and is out ofcontact with the ground, thus resulting in the formation of a cleanertype of roll or coil of hay, as well as the same including most if notall of the fines of the crop, thus minimizing waste. One example of aprior machine for forming a coil or roll of hay is illustrated in U.S.Pat. No. 3,665,690, to Wenger, dated May 30, 1972. The particular designof the machine shown in said patent offers a certain amount of frictionbetween the roll and the supporting frame of the machine, which isundesirable, and another undesirable feature is that the coil of hay isformed upon a core member rather than being a free-form of roll whichhas no core or mandrel. The foregoing objectionable features areobviated in the design of machine comprising the present invention and asubstantial number of improvements in the art of forming large sizes ofcompact rolls of hay and other forage crops are provided in saidmachine, details of which are as follows.

The improved features for a hay roll forming machine which comprise thepresent invention are part of a complete machine which has other noveland patentable features in addition to those of the present invention.Such other features comprise the subject matters of other relatedapplications in which the instant inventors or others are the inventors.However, for purposes of providing a full understanding of the presentinvention and the benefits afforded the overall machine thereby, adescription of the entire machine, or at least a substantial partthereof is set forth hereinafter relative to suitable drawings toillustrate the same, the present invention being described and shown inparticular therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .Iadd.

It is one of the principal objects of the invention to provide a machinefor forming a compact roll of hay or other similar forage crop materialof substantial diameter and length by coiling a swath or windrow of suchmaterial into such roll and in which machine a roll-forming cavity isprovided which has an initial lower portion in which the formation ofsaid roll is initiated, said initial lower portion having a heightsubstantially less than the ultimate maximum diameter of a completedroll capable of being formed in said machine and the upper limit of saidinitial lower portion of said cavity being defined by the lower courseof an endless flexible apron which is positioned by auxiliary guidemeans at opposite sides of said cavity which project into the cavity andare retractable therefrom once formation of said roll has beeninitiated, said upper apron being driven in a direction to move saidlower course thereof relative to the movement of said machine along afield.

Another object of the invention ancillary to the foregoing object is toprovide said auxiliary guide means in the form of guide members movablysupported by side members of said machine, and yieldable means whichnormally project guide portions of said members into said cavity forengagement of said opposite side edges of said upper apron but permitsaid guide members to be moved to retracted positions when the diameterof the roll of material lifts said apron from said support members andthe ends of the roll of material engage said guide members.

A further object of the invention also ancillary to the foregoingobjects is to provide means in the machine which cause said upper apronto have a contracted portion which permits said lower course of saidapron to expand and closely engage the upper surface of the roll ofmaterial as it expands in diameter, and when the desired diameter of aroll of said crop material is reached, said roll is discharged and saidlower course of said upper apron is restored to a position upon saidauxiliary guide members which are restored to the projected positionsthereof by said yieldable means when said guide members are releasedfrom engagement by the ends of the completed roll of crop material..Iaddend.

It is .[.the principle.]. .Iadd.another .Iaddend.object of the presentinvention to provide a machine for forming a compact roll of hay orsimilar forage crop of substantial diameter and length by providingmeans to pick up a swath or windrow of such crop by suitable means andfeed it to a space between a flexible, endless lower apron movablerelative to a bottom panel or floor, fixedly supported in the lowerportion of the machine, and the lower course of an upper flexible aproninitially being supported by auxiliary guide means which position it toinitiate the formation of a coil of said forage crop upon the lowerapron and continue to coil the same by rearward movement of the uppercourse of the lower apron and forward movement of the lower course ofthe upper apron, the upper apron also being guided around a series ofrotatable idlers arranged to initially dispose the upper course of theupper apron in a circuitous pattern in which part of said apron is atleast partially within the space in the machine within which the roll ofhay or other crop gradually expands in size, and the machine alsoincluding means to place the upper apron under tension to cause it toconstantly exert pressure upon the upper portion of the roll of hay orcrop being formed while the upper course of the upper apron expandsaround the upper surface of the roll being formed, such expansionoccurring against the action of take-up mechanism included in themachine and associated with said upper apron.

It is another object of the invention, ancillary to the foregoing objectto dispose said lower course of the upper apron in a position relativeto the upper course of the lower apron which defines a roll-formingspace which is wedge shaped in cross-section, and said guide means forsaid lower course of said upper conveyor comprising auxiliary guidemembers which are movably supported at opposite sides of said machineand initially project into said wedge shaped space for engagement bysaid upper apron but, when the roll of forage crop reaches apredetermined diameter, said apron disengages said guide members andsaid members are pushed out of said space to prevent interference withsaid roll.

It is a further object of the invention to mount said auxiliary guidemembers for the lower course of said upper apron for movement intoopenings in side panels, fixed to opposite sides of said machine,against the action of spring means which normally extend into said wedgeshaped space, whereby after a roll of forage crop has been dischargedfrom said machine, said spring means automatically restore saidauxiliary guide members to operative projecting positions for engagementby said lower course of said upper apron.

Ancillary to the foregoing object, it is another object of the inventionto form said upper apron from a pair of endless link-type chains betweenwhich a series of transverse members extend in evenly spaced arrangementlongitudinally of said chains, said auxiliary guide members havingrounded upper edges slidably engaged by the links of said chains withminimum friction and wear.

It is a further object of the invention to support the upper apron ofthe machine upon an auxiliary, upper frame pivotally connected at oneend to a base frame on said machine, said upper frame having a portionof the supporting means for said upper apron fixed thereto, said upperframe being adapted to have the rearward portion thereof raised todischarge a roll of forage crop from the machine when it has reachedmaximum desired size, the lower course of said upper apron beingextended above said roll when the upper frame is raised to dischargesaid roll and the chains of said lower course of said upper apronreengage said guide members therefor when said upper frame is lowered tooperative position.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as otherobjects thereof, are setforth in the following specification andillustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a hay roll forming machine embodying theprinciples of the present invention and showing the various partsthereof in the position thereof for starting the formation of a hayroll, the upper apron being illustrated in compact or contractedposition.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the parts of the machinepositioned substantially at the conclusion of forming a maximum size ofhay roll.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the machine with the parts thereofillustrated in discharge position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end view of a portion of the structure as seenon the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the portion of the machineshown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation showing, on a scale larger thanin the preceding figures, portions of the drive mechanism and controlmeans incorporated therewith.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front view of the portion of the machine shownin FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation on a larger scale than in FIGS.1-3 and showing supplemental guide means for the upper apron.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end view of the detail of the machine shown inFIG. 8 as seen on the line 9--9 thereof, said figure also illustratingportions of the mechanism in normal, operative position.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing said portions of themachine in released, inoperative position.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, partially diagrammatic view illustrating thefunction of the portion of the machine shown in FIGS. 8-10 inassociation with the floor or bed of the machine and the lower apronthereon.

FIG. 12 is fragmentary end view of the portion of the machine shown inFIG. 11 as seen on the line 12--12 thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the machine illustrated therein comprises a baseframe 10 which has similar side arrangements of structural membersfixedly connected together, such as by welding or the like. Each side ofsaid frame comprises a bottom horizontal member 12. The forward endthereof is connected to a vertical member 14 of substantial height.Also, extending perpendicularly to the junction of members 12 and 14 isa cross member 16, the adjacent end of which is fixedly connected to thejunction of members 12 and 14. A short frame member 18 extends upwardlyfrom the rearward portion of bottom member 12 and the upper end thereofis connected to one end of an upwardly and forwardly extending angularbrace member 20 which is connected at it's upper end to the upper end ofvertical member 14. Extending forwardly from the front face of member 14at each side of the machine is an A-frame consisting of angularlyrelated members 22 and 24, the rearward ends of which are fixed to thefront face of vertical member 14 and the forward ends thereof areconnected together and also are attached to polygonal plates 26, saidplates also being fixed to and covering the outer ends of a horizontalcross member 28. The various frame members thus far described, whichcomprise the base frame 10, may be formed from heavy structural tubing,channels, or any other appropriate structural form commonly employed inframing of the type described.

An auxiliary or upper frame 30 also is provided which consists of sideframes composed of a straight frame member 32, the ends of which areconnected to the opposite ends of an arcuate frame member 34. Theuppermost portion of each side frame member is pivotally connected at 36to a suitable bearing fixed to the upper end of vertical frame member 14of the base frame, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1-3. A suitable cross framemember 38 also extends between the upper ends of angular brace members20 of frame 10 and thereby stabilizes the connection of the upper frames30 at opposite sides thereof by the pivotal connections 36 to theuppermost end of the base frame 10. The upper end of base frame 10 alsois further stabilized transversely by means of another cross tube 40, orsimilar horizontal bracing member which extends between bearing brackets42 which are connected to the front faces of the vertical frame members14 such as by welding.

The lower rearward end of upper frame 30, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2,also has a cross frame member 44 extending between the opposite sideframe means composed of members 32 and 34.

Upper frame 30 is moved between it's lower, operative position such asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and its extended, or discharge position, asshown in FIG. 3, by means of a pair of hydraulic cylinder and pistonunits 46, the opposite ends of which respectively are connected to themembers 22 and 32 of base frame 10 and upper frame 30, intermediately ofthe ends thereof, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Suitable hydraulic lines, ofconventional type, not shown, are connected to opposite ends of thecylinder of each unit 46 and said units at opposite sides of the frameoperate simultaneously under all circumstances.

As will be seen from FIGS. 1-3, the base frame 10 has a pair ofconventional wheels 48 connected thereto at opposite sides of the frame,by any suitable axle means, not shown but of appropriate conventionaltype, in order that the hay roll forming machine comprising the presentinvention may be drawn by a tractor or other similar implement over afield for purposes of forming a roll of hay or similar forage material.Referring to FIG. 6, the forward end of the machine has an appropriategear box 50 interconnected to suitable transverse supporting means,including the cross member 28 for example. The gear box has an inputshaft 52 which is connectable to the driven end of a power take-off unit(p.t.o.) provided on and extending rearwardly from a suitable tractorunit or equivalent power mechanism. A power output shaft 54 extends fromthe gear box 50 to one side of the machine as viewed in FIGS. 1-3 and 6.

Extending forwardly from the front end of base frame 10 is a pick-upheader unit 56 of a type adapted to engage, elevate from a field andrearwardly feed a swath or windrow of forage material which is in atleast semi-dried condition. A fragmentary illustration of the forwardportion of the header 56 is shown in FIG. 7. It comprises a drum havinga series of transversely spaced, circular slots 58 therein, throughwhich a series of spring fingers, not shown, but of conventionalagricultural nature as in U.S. Pat. No. 2,581,542, extend for purposesof picking up a swath or windrow 60 of at least semi-dried foragematerial, as shown in FIG. 6, for purposes of moving the same to theentrance end of the machine. Said spring fingers are driven by a shaft62, in clockwise direction, by means to be described, for purposes ofelevating and feeding the material between a pair of compressing rollers64 and 66, for purposes of leveling and preferably somewhat spreadingtransversely the swath or windrow which passes therebetween.

The flattened and somewhat spread material then passes to the entranceend of the lower apron which extends around driven roller 68, which issupported upon a shaft extending between bearings 69 respectivelymounted upon the members 24 at opposite sides of the base frame 10, asclearly shown in FIG. 6. The compressing rollers 64 and 66 also aresupported upon two transverse shafts, the opposite ends of whichrespectively are supported in suitable bearings which also are mountedupon the members 24 of the base frame at opposite sides of the machine,as best shown in FIG. 6.

The lower apron propelling means preferably comprises a series ofendless, flexible chains 70, see FIG. 11, which are transversely spacedapart even distances and one end of the upper courses extend aroundsprocket gears 72 which are mounted upon a shaft 74 rotatably supportedadjacent the forward end of the bottom or floor 76 which is fixedlyconnected to the base frame 10. The other end of the upper courses ofchains 70 extend around cylindrical guide surface 73 fixedly supportedby frame tube 83 adjacent the rear end of bottom 76. The floor isrendered rigid by a series of transversely extending bars 78, theopposite ends of which are suitably interconnected to the bottomhorizontal members 12 of base frame 10 for example. The upper courses ofthe chains 70 preferably slide along guide channels 79 fixed to theupper surface of the bottom 76.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, it also will be seen that the alternatelinks of the chain 70 have what is termed aggressive lugs or blades 80connected thereto. In view of the fact that the upper courses of thechains 70 move in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 11, it willbe seen that the forward edge of the lugs or blades 80 extendssubstantially perpendicularly to the axis of the chain, and the upperedge of each lug or blade slopes rearward and downward. Such arrangementnot only facilitates rotary movement of a roll of hay or the like incounter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1-3, but such engagementof the perpendicular forward edges of the lugs or blades 80 with theroll tends to dispose the stems and fibers of the forage materialsubstantially circumferential, whereby there is a substantial tendencyfor the completed roll to shed rain and other inclement weathersubstances when lying in a field for example.

The upper frame 30 and certain guide rolls and sprockets which augmentthe same support the upper apron 82, which is shown in outline form inFIGS. 1-3. Said apron preferably comprises a pair of endless, flexiblelink-type chains 84, fragmentary examples of which are shown in FIGS. 4,7, and 12. At longitudinally spaced intervals of suitable dimension,such as of the order of 8 or 10 inches, a series of bars 86 extendbetween said chains for substantially the full width of the machine.Fragmentary examples of such bars are shown in FIGS. 7 and 12. In crosssection, the bars may be square or any other suitable geometric shape,such as cylindrical, for purposes of offering resistance to bending ofthe bars, especially when engaging the periphery of a roll of hay 88, anexample of which is shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 2. The upper apron82 is supported upon various guide rolls and sprockets, and the edges ofguide bars, as follows.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular, it'll be seen that, adjacenteach side of upper frame 30, and spaced inwardly therefrom, is anarcuate bar 90 which is appropriately connected to the arcuate framemember 34 at each side of the upper frame 30 by suitable brackets 92 and94 respectively fixed to members 34 and bars 90, and bolted together asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The opposite edges of the arcuate bars 90 arerounded to strengthen the same and also minimize wear. The outer edge 96is convex, and the inner edge 98 thereof is concave. Referring to FIGS.1-3, the arcuate bars 90 are not shown but it will be understood thatthe same conform generally to the shape of the arcuate frame members 34and the upper course of the chains 84 of upper apron 82 slideablyengages the convex edge 96 of each of the arcuate guide bars 90.

At each side of the upper frame 30 at adjacent opposite ends thereof,suitable guide sprockets 100 and 102 respectively are supported byclevises which are connected to the opposite ends of the arcuate member34 at each side of the frame. Affixed to ends of shaft 104, which issupported in bearing brackets 42 adjacent the upper end of verticalframe members 14, are pairs of oppositely extending arms 106 and 108.Said arms respectively comprise take-up and expansion means for theupper apron 82 and operate as a pivoted supplemental frame. The ends ofsaid arms support rotatable guide sprockets 110 and 112 adjacent theopposite ends of the arms and the chains 84 of the upper apron 82 extendtherearound in the manner shown in FIGS. 1-3. Lastly, a driving sprocket114 is provided at each side of the main frame and connected to a drivenshaft 116 that is supported in appropriate bearings fixed relative tothe main frame 10. The chains 84 of the upper apron 82 also extendaround said driving sprockets. The lower course of the upper apron 82also slideably extends over the upper curved surface of movably mountedauxiliary guide members 118, details of which are best shown in FIGS.8-11 and are described hereinafter as the major feature of thisinvention.

The pick-up header unit 56 is pivotally supported at its rearward endupon a shaft 120 which is rotatably supported at its opposite ends inbearings 122 connected to frame members 24 at opposite sides of themachine. The forward end of the pick-up header unit 56 is yieldablyrestrained against downward movement by a pair of springs 124respectively connected at one end to the cross member 28 of the frame ofthe machine and, at the other end, being connected to end plates on theheader 56 at opposite ends thereof. If desired, auxiliary wheels, notshown, may be rotatably mounted at opposite ends of the header unit 56for engagement with the ground.

Upper compression roll 64 is supported by a shaft 126, the opposite endsof which are rotatable in bearings formed in arms 128, best shown inFIG. 6, the rearward end of said arms being supported upon pivot shafts130 mounted in bearing brackets 132 which are fixed to vertical framemembers 14. The opposite ends of arms 128 respectively at the oppositesides of the machine have clevises 134 connected thereto and a rod 136extends upward from each clevis and is surrounded by a compressionspring 138 which extends between each clevis 134 and a bracket 140 whichis connected to a side plate 142 on each side of the machine.

DRIVE MECHANISM

As setforth above, power for the machine is derived from a p.t.o. of atractor or the like, which is connected to shaft 52. Power output shaft54 has a sprocket gear 144 connected to the outer end thereof as shownin FIGS. 6 and 7. Shaft 54 also extends beyond the outer end of sprocketgear 144 and has a large multiple sheave 146 fixed thereto. A sprocketchain 148 extends around sprocket gear 144 which comprises a drivingsprocket. Chain 148, which is driven by sprocket gear 144 extends aroundidler sprocket gear 150 which is supported in a bearing on frame member14. Chain 148 then extends around sprocket gear 152, another sprocketgear 154, and a further sprocket gear 156, from which the chain extendsto the driving sprocket gear 144. Accordingly, all of the movingelements of the machine, with the exception of upper apron 82, aredriven by the sprocket chain 148.

Another sprocket gear 158, of smaller diameter than sprocket gear 152,is fixed to one end of pivot shaft 130 for support thereby and a drivensprocket gear 160 is fixed to shaft 126 of the upper compression roller64 to drive the same by means of a sprocket chain 162 which extendsaround the sprocket gears 158 and 160. The various vertical planeswithin which the pairs of driving and driven sprocket gears are locatedare best illustrated in FIG. 7.

Sprocket gear 156 is a driving gear for the smaller sprocket gear 164which is connected to shaft 120 and is in the same plane as the largerdriven sprocket gear 166. Sprocket chain 168 extends around the gears164 and 166 and thereby effecting rotation of shaft 62 which drives thepick-up fingers of the header unit 56 which operate within in thecircular slots 58 thereof.

The power output shaft 54 also supplies the power for driving the upperapron 82. This is accomplished by the multiple sheave 146 which isconnected to the outer end of shaft 54, as indicated above, and a drivenmultiple sheave 170. A series of V-belts 172 extend around the multiplesheaves 146 and 170 in a loose condition, whereby the same comprise partof what may be considered a clutch arrangement. Multiple belt-tighteningsheaves 174 are supported rotatably on the outer end of arm 176 which ispivoted at 178 to a bracket plate 180. A tension spring 182 is mountedin a manner to normally elevate the tightening sheaves 174 toinoperative position.

The purpose of the clutch-type arrangement described immediately aboveis to stop the movement of upper apron 82 when the upper frame 30 ismoved to the elevated, discharge position thereof shown in FIG. 3. Whenthis occurs however, the lower apron comprising the chains 70 continueto move in a direction to expel the completed roll 88 of hay or the likefrom the machine. Such continued movement of the lower apron is effectedby driven sprocket 154 which is connected to the outer end of the shaftwhich supports the sprocket gears 72 for the chains 70.

Operation of such clutch mechanism is effected by the position of thetightening sheaves 174 with respect to the belts 172. Movement of thearm 176 in a direction to cause the sheaves 182 to tighten the belts 172is effected by a cable 184, one end of which is fixed to eyelet 186 onthe forward end of lever 176 and the opposite end of the cable isconnected to a short arm 188 which projects outwardly from the framemember 32 of upper frame 30, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. If desired,a spring 190 of predetermined tension strength is connected between saidother end of cable 184 and the arm 188, as shown in FIG. 3. By comparingFIGS. 1 and 3, it'll be seen that in FIG. 1, the cable 184 is undertension by reason of the position of arm 188 on upper frame 30, wherebythe tightening sheaves 174 are in tightening engagement with the belts172 and thereby cause driving of the driven sheaves 170 by the drivingsheaves 146, thus moving the upper apron 82 at a predetermined speedwhich, under preferred conditions, is slightly slower than the surfacespeed of the chains 70 of the lower apron. By way of example, it hasbeen found that the difference of about five percent is highly useful,whereby there is a tendency for the slightly faster moving lower apronchains 70 to urge the roll toward the discharge end of the machine butin view of the lowered position of the upper frame 30 during theformation of the roll, there is no possibility for the roll to dischargefrom the machine prematurely. As shown in FIG. 3, when the upper frame30 is elevated to discharge position, the cable 184 goes slack and thespring 182 raises the tightening sheaves 174 to idle position, thusstopping the movement of the upper apron 82.

UPPER APRON EXPANDING MECHANISM

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the starting and finalpositions of the upper apron 82 are illustrated to best advantage. Whena roll of hay or the like is first initiated, the swath or windrow 60 ofthe material is delivered to the forward end of the lower aproncomprising the chains 70. Referring to FIG. 1, it'll be seen that theinitial position of the lower course of the upper apron 82 extends overthe auxiliary guide members 118 at opposite sides of the inner surfacesof the side plates 192 of the machine which extend between and are fixedto the vertical frame member 14, diagonal brace members 20, framemembers 18 and horizontal bottom members 12, as well as between theangularly disposed frame members 22 and 24. Also, there are additionalside plates 194 which extend across the major portion of the spacedefined by the frame members 32 and 34 of upper frame 30. Such sideplates 192 and 194 confine the opposite ends of the roll 88 of hay orthe like while it is being formed. From FIG. 1, it will be seen that theinitial part of the roll of hay or the like which is being formed,occurs in a wedge shaped spaced 196 which is less high at the forwardend than at the rearward end and is defined at the top by the lowerstraight course of the upper apron 82 between sprockets 114 andauxiliary guide members 118, and the upper course of the lower aproncomprising chains 70. The shape of this space greatly facilitates thecommencement of the rolling of the material, especially the smallerentrance end of the space 196, such rolling of the material occurring byvirtue of the opposite directions in which the lower source of upperapron 82 and the chains 80 move as illustrated by direction arrows shownin FIG. 1. When this occurs, the upper apron 82 is in an N-shaped,compactly contracted position. In this position, it'll be seen that asubstantial length of the apron which extends from sprockets 110, downand around sprockets 112 and up to sprockets 102 is disposed at leastsomewhat within the space ultimately occupied by the roll 88 of materialwhich is confined by the circular configuration of the lower course ofthe upper apron 82, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Movement of the upperapron 82 between the contracted, starting position shown in FIG. 1 andthe expanded, final position shown in FIG. 2 is controlled by mechanismconnected to the opposite ends of shaft 104 upon which ends the arms 106and 108 are fixed. Such control mechanism comprises a pair of similarcam plates 198 that respectively are fixed to the opposite ends of shaft104 and extend radially therefrom. A cable 200 is connected at one endto a pin 202 on the cam plates 198. From there, the cable extends arounda guide pulley 204 which is supported on a bracket arm 206 that is fixedto the upper end of vertical frame 14. It will be understood that eachof the members 14, at opposite sides of the machine, support a bracketarm 206 and guide pulley 204, as well as there being a cable 200 at eachside of the machine. The other end of cable 200 is connected to one endof a very strong tension spring 208, the opposite end of said springbeing anchored to a pin 210 on frame member 18 at each side of themachine. The arrangement just described results in the lower course ofupper apron 82 exerting substantially constant pressure upon a coiledroll of hay or the like while it is increasing in size.

As the roll of hay or the like increases in diameter due to the coilingthereof within the initial space 196 shown in FIG. 1, the lower courseof upper apron 82 between sprockets 114 and guide members 118 willgradually be raised by the roll, with the result that the lower coursesof said apron will be lifted from the auxiliary guide members 118. Asdescribed hereinafter, said auxiliary guide members will be retractedinto accomodating spaces in the side plates of the machine so as not tointerfere with the movement of the ends of the roll 88 of hay and thelike which is being formed. Also, such upward movement of the lowercourse of the apron 88 will require an extension of the amount of suchlower course which is in engagement with the upper surface of the roll88 of material. Such expansion in said lower course is provided bycounter-clockwise rotation of the arms 106 and 108, as viewed in FIGS. 1and 2. Such rotation is resisted by the springs 208 at opposite sides ofthe machine and this results in suitable compression force being appliedto the roll 88 to render it compact. Also, when the lower course of theupper apron 82 has reached its maximum expanded position, as illustratedin FIG, 2, the chains of said lower course will ride upon the concaveedges of the arcuate guide bars 90 respectively fixed to the arcuateframe members 34 of upper frame 30, whereby said lower course of theupper apron will in no way interfere with the movement of the uppercourse of said apron, as can be clearly seen from FIG. 2 which is theposition in which the upper and lower courses thereof will approach eachother most closely.

Due to the tension constantly exerted by the springs 208 upon the arms106 and 108 and especially upon the guide sprockets 110 and 112respectively carried thereby, engagement of the chains of the upperapron 82 with the various guide sprockets for the same will bemaintained at all times. Further, due to the fact that the chains atopposite sides of the upper apron 82 will mesh with the drivingsprockets 114 respectively fixed to the opposite ends of shaft 116,there will be no tendency for variation occurring in the movements ofthe chains at opposite ends of the upper apron and thus the bars 86 ofthe upper apron will be maintained constantly parallel to the axes ofthe various shafts extending between opposite sides of the machine.

It also will be seen especially from FIGS. 1 and 2 that even thoughthere is the possibility for the upper apron 82 to expand around arelatively large diameter of roll 88 of material, such as of the orderof as much as 6 or 7 feet, it will be seen that at no time is the upperapron disposed in any outwardly extending position of great extent,whereby the disposition of said upper apron is substantially compact atall times.

AUXILIARY GUIDE MEMBERS

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, details of the auxiliary guide members 118 areillustrated. Said guide members are highly essential to the presentinvention, especially to the formation of the wedge shaped space,described in detail above which, during the initial formation of theroll of hay 88 is between the lower most course of upper apron 82 andthe upper courses of chains 70. After members 178 have served theirintended function, they then would be an obstruction to continuedexpansion of the roll 88. Retraction thereof is provided for bymechanism described hereinafter, thereby obviating any obstructivetendencies toward the enlargement of the roll of hay.

From FIGS. 8-11, it will be seen that the members 118 have a rounded,arcuate upper surface 212 which is slidably engaged by the chains 84 ofthe upper apron 82 with a minimum of friction. Normally, the members 118are maintained in the projecting or extended position such as shown inFIG. 9. This position is maintained by a shaft 214 which is pivotallyconnected at one end to ear means 216 which project from the innersurface of each member 118. A compression spring 218 surrounds the shaft214 and normally urges each member 118 to its projected position such asshown in FIG. 12, which disposes the members within the space occupiedby roll 88 when the same reaches a predetermined diameter. Spring 218extends between a washer fixed to shaft 214 and a bracket 220 which issupported by a suitable angle member connected to the exterior surfaceof the side plates 192 at opposite sides of the machine. Each member 118also has a pair of parallel legs 222 which are pivotally supported byhorizontal shaft 224 which is suitably connected to each side plate 192.Said side plates also each have an appropriate opening 225 formedtherein through which the members 118 move to the retracted positionsshown in FIG. 10, against the compressive force of spring 218.

The members 118 at opposite sides of the machine are forced from theprojected position of FIG. 9 to the retracted position of FIG. 10 byslidable engagement of the members 118 by the opposite ends of the roll88 of hay or the like which, in the areas of members 118, are movingupwardly. Hence the upwardly sloping surfaces of members 118 facilitatemovement thereof to said retracted positions by the ends of the rolls88. Members 118 also will be maintained in said retracted position aslong as the roll 88 of hay remains in the machine, thereby offering noimpedance to rotation of the roll. However, incident to discharge of aroll 88, the upper frame 30 is raised to the position shown in FIG. 3and this results in the lower course of the upper apron carried therebybeing extended far above members 118. Accordingly, the springs 218promptly restore members 118 to their projecting positions shown in FIG.9. Thus, when upper frame 30 and upper apron carried thereby arerestored to the lower, operative positions thereof, the lower course ofthe upper apron 82 will automatically engage the same for supportincident to the apron 82 forming one boundary of the wedge shaped space186.

DISCHARGE OPERATIONS

When the roll 88 of hay or the like has reached either a desired ormaximum diameter capable of being formed by the machine, the operator ofthe tractor actuates a valve, not shown, to introduce fluid byconventional means to one end of the cylinder units 46 and thus effectraising of the upper frame 30 from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2to the discharge position shown in FIG. 3. As described above, suchmovement releases the tightening sheaves 174 from the belts 172 and thusdisconnects driving power from the upper apron 82. However, rearwardmovement of the upper courses of the chains 70 comprising the lowerapron continues from the driving imparted to shaft 74 by sprocket gear154. Referring particularly to FIGS. 11 and 12, it will be seen that onalternate successive links of the chains 70, the lugs or blades 80 areprovided to effect positive engagement between the chains 70 and thelower surface of the roll 88 of the material being formed into a roll.During such formation, the roll will be rotated in the direction of thearrow illustrated in exemplary manner in FIG. 3. The shape of the lugsor teeth 80 also is important. They may be considered to be of anaggressive nature. The lugs on the upper course of the chains have asubstantially perpendicular leading edge 226 and a downward and rearwardsloping upper edge 228, considered relative to direction of movement ofsaid lugs in the upper course of the chains 70, as shown in FIG. 11 andas indicated by the directional arrows therein. Not only is the functionof the lugs 80 to firmly and aggressively engage the lower surface ofthe roll 88 of material but the concentrated engagement of all of thelugs 80 on all of the chains 70 with the lower surface of the roll 88results in orientation of the stems and fibers of the agriculture foragecrops being formed into the roll so that the same extendcircumferentially throughout the roll and, when the roll is left in afield for feeding of stock or the like, such rolls have a substantialtendency to shed rain and other inclement weather substances in a highlysatisfactory manner.

For safety and protection, the upper frame 30 also is provided withouter cover plates 254 which at least partially extend around andbetween the arcuate frame members 34 of upper frame 30.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesa highly versatile machine for forming large sizes of compact rolls ofagriculture forage material out of contact with the ground, thusminimizing waste of the material being harvested and also keeping therolls in clean condition and relatively free from dirt, stones and otherundesirable material which may occur in fields from which the crop isbeing harvested. All moving elements of the machine are power driven ina manner which achieves maximum efficiency. Further, the upper apron isarranged and supported by mechanism which permits substantial expansionof the lower course of the apron from an initial position controlled byauxiliary guide means which comprise an important part of the presentinvention, to gradually expanding positions in which the upper surfaceof the roll being formed has pressure exerted upon it by the lowercourse of the upper apron. The expansion takes place automatically andsuch pressure is applied constantly to the upper surface of the roll,especially after the roll increases to a diameter greater than thedistance of said auxiliary guide means above the lower apron.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is notto be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and describedsince the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scopeof the invention as illustrated and described.

We claim:
 1. A mobile hay roll forming machine comprising in combinationa frame, wheels mounted upon said frame to render said frame mobile overa swath of hay lying upon a field to form the same into a compact roll,pickup means operable adjacent the forward portion of said frame to pickup said swath, an endless lower flexible apron supported by a lowerportion of said frame and having an upper course extending substantiallyhorizontally therein and positioned to receive at the forward endthereof hay picked up from a field by said pickup means, drive meanssupported by said frame and connected to said lower endless flexiblemeans to move said upper course thereof rearwardly to support a roll ofhay thereon as the same is being formed during operation of saidmachine, an endless upper apron, supporting means on said frame for saidupper apron arranged to position the lower course of said upper apronabove said upper course of said lower flexible apron and spacedtherefrom to define an initial roll-forming cavity between said coursesof said aprons, said supporting means including guide members positionedadjacent opposite sides of said frame and engageable with opposite edgesof said lower course of said upper apron to define a portion of saidroll-forming cavity of a predetermined height substantially less thanthe diameter of a roll of hay of ultimate maximum size to be formed insaid machine, and said supporting means for said upper apron includingyieldable means operable to permit said lower course of said upper apronto be raised from said members when the diameter of said roll increasesbeyond the height of said initial roll-forming cavity.
 2. The machineaccording to claim 1 in which said upper apron comprises a pair ofendless link-type chains defining opposite edges thereof and havingsimilar elongated members extending therebetween and connected theretoat evenly spaced locations along said chains, said guide means ofsupporting means projecting inwardly from the opposite sides of saidmachine a sufficient distance to be engaged respectively by said chains.3. The machine according to claim 2 in which said guide members havesmoothly rounded upper edges engaged slidably by said chains.
 4. Themachine according to claim 2 further including means movablyinterconnecting said guide members of said supporting means to oppositesides of said frame of said machine to permit said members to be movableaway from said chain-supporting positions thereon to retracted positionswhen the diameter of a roll of hay is great enough to cause the ends ofsaid roll to engage said members.
 5. The machine according to claim 4further including spring means engageable with said guide members andoperable normally to urge said members outwardly from said sides of saidframe of said machine to chain-supporting position and said spring meansbeing yieldable to permit movement of said members to said retractedpositions.
 6. The machine according to claim 5 in which said machineincludes side plates carried by opposite sides of said frame and havingopenings therein complementary in size to said guide members and saidguide members being pivotally interconnected to said frame adjacent thelower edges of said guide members for movement relative to the loweredges of said openings and said guide members when engaged by the endsof a roll of hay being moved thereby into said openings to dispose saidmembers in noninterfering position relative to said roll while beingformed within the space between said side plates.
 7. The machineaccording to claim 4 in which said guide members extend upwardly andinwardly relative to the sides of said frame to provide camming surfacesengageable by upwardly moving portions of the ends of a roll of haywhile being rotated and coiled within said roll-receiving cavity,thereby moving said guide members from said chain-supporting positionsthereof to said retracted positions when said ends of said roll of hayengage said members. .Iadd.
 8. A mobile hay roll forming machine adaptedto engage a swath or windrow of forage crop material lying upon a fieldand coil it into a compact roll of substantial length and diameter, saidmachine comrising a mobile frame, vertical side members on said framespaced transversely apart to define a roll-forming cavity therebetween,an endless flexible upper apron in the upper portion of said cavity,supporting means on said frame for said upper apron arranged and adaptedto position a portion thereof as a lower course and another portion asan upper course, said lower course of said upper apron being engageablewith said swath or crop material as the same is coiled into a roll, andmeans operable to drive said upper apron in a manner to move said lowercourse thereof in a direction to facilitate coiling of said roll, andyieldable means supported by said frame and engaging and supporting aportion of said upper apron initially in a contracted arrangement andoperable to permit said lower course of said apron to expand toward saidupper course thereof as a roll of crop material being formed within saidcavity increases in diameter; in combination with auxiliary guide meanssupported upon said side members at a predetermined level above a fieldover which the machine is moving to provide a lower portion of saidroll-forming cavity with a height substantially less than the diameterof a roll of crop material of ultimate maximum size to be formed in saidmachine and within which said formation is initiated, said auxiliaryguide means comprising guide members having upper portions and saidmembers being supported by said side members on said frame for movementof said upper portions thereof between a position in which said upperportions project into said cavity and respectively engage the oppositeside edges of said lower course of said upper apron for supporting thesame and to define the height of said lower portion of said cavitywithin which the formation of said roll is initiated and a position inwhich said upper portions of said guide members are retracted from saidprojected positions toward said side members once formation of said rollhas been initiated in said lower portion of said cavity. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 9. The machine according to claim 8 in which said upper portionsof said guide members are retracted from said projected positions towardsaid side members when the diameter of said roll increases enough toraise said lower course of said upper apron from said upper portions ofsaid guide members. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 10. The machine according to claim 7in which the upper edges of said guide members are smoothly rounded forslidable engagement by the opposite side edges of the lower course ofsaid upper apron. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 11. The machine according to claim 8in which said side members on said frame have openings complementary tothe shape of said guide members and into which said members can bedisposed in said retracted positions thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 12. Themachine according to claim 8 in which said upper portions of said guidemembers are retracted from said projected positions toward said sidemembers when the diameter of said roll increases sufficiently enough tocause the ends of said roll to engage said upper portions of said guidemembers and move the same into said retracted positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.13. The machine according to claim 12 in which guide members arepivotally connected at the lower edges thereof relative to said sidemembers on said frame, and further including spring means supportedrelative to said side members on said frame and engaging said guidemembers normally to urge the same to said projected positions of theupper portions thereof. .Iaddend.